Tevez and Bellamy on rampage

City three points behind United with game in hand as West Ham old boys add to Zola's fears in 3-1 victory

Carlos Tevez scored his first Premier League goals for Manchester City as they recorded their best start to a season in 48 years. Not since 1961-62 – when they finished 12th – have City bettered a beginning that has seen them win five of their opening six games. They are three points off the top of the Premier League with a game in hand over Manchester United and Chelsea.

With Roque Santa Cruz coming on in the final 10 minutes of an emphatic 3-1 dismissal of West Ham and Michael Johnson taking the field for the first time in 12 months, the resources available to Mark Hughes have increased still further. "Martin Petrov had his first start of the season and scored as well so the options are increasing all the time," said the Manchester City manager. "We need guys who can come on and seize their opportunity when it is presented to them and not sit in the stands feeling sorry for themselves.

"Roque Santa Cruz is like Craig Bellamy. People doubted him and his ability when he came to City but I know his attributes and he is going to be a fantastic addition. The challenge is there for all of us.

"I thought some of our play was excellent. We know there is a challenge for us to play in the right way and we have shown real purpose and determination. The defeat in the derby was a disappointment but that is behind us now and we have shown we are capable of moving on."